Zelas scratched his head, why wasn't he surprised. It seemed there was no such thing as an honest sen-rabbi. So Tar-sul was in fact a thief, but he had stolen from another thief, and seemingly without intention to do so, Zelas supposed that put him above the others in some respect. More surprisingly, Duxo had been innocent, he probably owed the man an apology, although he did kill that guard in cold blood, so even if he had started out innocent, it all evened out. Zelas sighed, how did his life become so complicated?

"Hold on. Listen, we may be merciful...some of us anyways, but we aren't fools. If we let you go now, what will stop you from laying in ambush once we exit the cave? We'll release you after we have dealt with this Korkarr, so for your sake that left door better be the right one, lest you wish to rely on Korkarr's mercy instead."

To Nim he explained."If we bring him to the door, there's a chance he'll die even if the door isn't trapped. That's hardly fair. Not to mention he could just as easily be a detriment."

Then he turned back to the guard."Furthermore, after you have answered this one's question, tell us what else, if anything we should expect once in Korkarr's chambers. We know he has one or two panthers. And I noticed you didn't mention them."At that he raised an eyebrow.

He joined Duxo in crouching down next to the man and stared into his eyes.

"Those who know anything about the Ouzquin know that one; we always speak the truth. And two; you don't wish to anger us." He looked up at the others.

"That sleep spell doesn't last very long does it? They should be awake by now, someone please go and ask them the same questions we asked this one, some confirmation wouldn't hurt. Especially about the door."

The bandit looked back and forth at the exchange between the folk - such a disharmonious group - it was a surprise their group hadn't fallen apart through their differences even before they began! At Nim's words he nodded, "The left door, yes; I swear on my the life of my child! Please, do not take me to Korkarr - he will strangle the life out of me! I have no love or loyalty for these people; take our weapons if you worry about an ambush, but let me leave in peace!"To Zelas the man nodded, "Yes, panthers. Korkarr has five, but they would all be locked away in their pen - they lie off a passage in the next room also. Well... Shekhza may be in with Korkarr. She is his favourite, you see; raised her from a cub!"

"Korkarr is usually alone in his chambers - sometimes he keeps a, er, 'guest' chained in there for his amusement. His latest was a Ralkharan girl," The bandit glanced to Sigurd and then to Duxo, answering his question, "Caught her snooping around the cave some time back, but i don't know what she was looking for - Korkarr claimed her as soon as we captured her, and she never left his room until he sent her away. Two other White-Orcs showed up to escort her! Greedy bastards...!" the guard cleared his throat and looked guiltily to Sigurd. "Is that why you're here? Seeking out the girl? She's at least a week gone by now - gone to the White-Orc Stronghold, Ruk-Ko-La.""If you know about white-Orcs, there is nothing more you need to know about Korkarr. He's tough. He's cruel, and he's more than a match for any of us."

Zelas listened to Nim's whispered words. He nodded and leaned his ouzala on the rock wall, he then turned back to her and gently grasped both her arms while looking into her eyes.

"Nim-ty-Lin. Your speech back in the cells showed you as callous in my eyes. And your people...have not been well represented so far, with liers, cheats, murderers and thieves. So I simply believed you fully capable and willing to do as you said. It was my mistake, and I still pray I am wrong about both you and your people, so I humbly beg understanding."

He then nodded again and released her to turn back to hear the prisoner. He winced at the part about the 5 panthers, that could prove tricky. The guard continued. So, the orc was a rapist as well. Any qualms Zelas may have had evaporated.

When the guard seized his talking, Zelas started gathering up the weapons. Bending down strained his back somewhat, but he didn't complain as much as grunt a bit. He went to check if the other prisoners had awakened.

If they're awake, I want to double check what they have to say about the doors, otherwise I'll wake them up and ask.

After making sure their bonds were tied securely, Zelas woke the other prisoners and interrogated them as to which direction in the upcoming corridor was supposed to be safe.

There was much uncertainty and squabbling between the bandits as they battled with their loyalties, but in the end, all three insisted that Left was indeed the way to go! Nevertheless, the amount of in-fighting and disagreement between them, as well as their shifty eyes did not leave Zelas one hundred percent safe about following their direction. Nor were they useful on any additional information, except that Korkarr favoured a massive axe to threaten his foes (and he wasn't afraid to use it) And He wore a necklace with a bear's head pendant which - even though the bandits had never gotten a straight answer from the orc - they all assumed had something to do with his control over the animal life he directed.

While the information gathering went on, Auxzali busied himself with other tasks. He started searching the cave, especially the lake, for useful devices and tools.

Perception roll if you want me to make it: (22:31:50) Minion: caesar193 rolls 1d20 and gets 14. I'll assume you can add my modifier. If the water is too deep for walking/wading, or if there is a pit that I fall into, my swim roll: (22:32:49) Minion: caesar193 rolls 1d20 and gets 5.

Auxzali scoured the cave. In the far corner he found a small pile of what must have been the bandits' latest unsorted haul!

The water was only waist deep, and after some scrounging, Auxzali found something rather ominous: a corpse! The Quinnix cleric hauled the body to dry land and laid it down to examine it. The body was dressed in fineries of red, gold and blue; It was a Sen-Rabbin Royal Guard! The guard must have come to investigate some time back and was slain and his body dumped - Seems this 'Korkarr' was a ruthless foe; the Sen-Rab royal guard are known to be effective fighters, though cruel.

Since the Royal Guardsman wouldn't be needing his belongings anymore, Auxzali meticulously stripped the body of anything he deemed useful.

"I have two questions for you. The first of these is why this man that I presume you or one of your fellows killed still bears his armor and weapons. I am sure that as bandits you could have found some use for them. And as for the second..." Auxzali paused a moment, and dragged over the crate containing the Dremorix Life Spheres. "Are you aware of what these are?"

I don't think you want me to roll my own sense motive, in case you roll so low that I make a mistake or something, but bear in mind that Auxzali is sensing his motive very carefully on that second question.

"Keep the garbs and weapon of a Sekh-Tar-Ruhl!? Do you have any idea what the Royal Guard would do to us if we went around showing off gear belonging to one of their own!? Outsider; ask your woman friend here the tortures that the guard would subject us to if they saw any of us wearing that gear without explanation. In the Swamp, even the good folk live their lives trying not to draw the attention of the Sekh-Tar-Ruhl."

The bandit's face drained of colour and his anger faded into fear when Auxzali raised the orbs, though, and he hung his head, "Y...yes. I see you and your friend wear them proudly - Something to do with your religion? Look, they were on the heads of the guards of the last caravan - they hired some glassmen to guard that leaf. Fought like devils too; took three of our men before Korkarr managed to overwhelm 'em. He said to take those as trophies."

When Zelas came back thoughtful from his interogation, he found Auxzali dripping wet. He frowned with confusion and looked at the nearby pool of water, he was just about to say something when his friend started questioning the guard. When he saw what was in the box, he grew very still. These < voutzias > had been killing Ouzquins and stealing their < hemisas >?! And these were the people he had shown mercy to?! His face flushed red and he raised his trembling hand, beginning to pronounce a spell.

Feel free to stop me anyone who wishes to do so. Acid Dart, 11 +5 Int, 5+1 damage, directed against the lone guard, I would think he'd be flatfooted and most likely helpless as we've probably bound him by now, so if it succedes add any bonuses that adds.

"Save your anger for their leader, friend. I think Korkarr can take more than a tender shove from my shield" he laid a hand on Zelas' shoulder."Also, I know enough of you wizard-folk to know that you cannot throw around magic forever. Really, save it."

The loot was welcome, and some coin would buy supplies and repairs, roof and a back-rub.

But, at the mention of the Ralkharan girl, he raised one eyebrow. "You did quite a number on them with your magic, Nim. I would be ever so glad if you could use it so that Korkarr lives to speak - I'd love if I could bring the mentioned damsel back to our rolling hills. It's a proud tradition of my people - to wade into danger and return overburdened with grateful lasses."He knew Nim well enough to expect the ever-so-thinly-veiled disdainful look, and smiled.

He then addressed the others: "Have the bandits reached consent on which door is a trap, and which the leader's lair? Regardless, I offer to open it and address (he patted his sword) the orc first. I much desire an exchange with him, sooner rather than later."

Logged

"Captain, the buttocks are moving from the pink into the red and purple spectrum! We cannot maintain this rate of spanking any longer!"

Zelas seized his casting, but he gave Sigurd a look of hurt and outrage. He spat out."I have plenty to spare for these curs! You cannot possibly comprehend what this means ralkharan! To steal someone's < hemisa > their life orbs, it's...unspeakable! It is a crime worse than murder among the Ouzquin and these vile beasts deserve to pay for it fully! They cannot be allowed to wander free after such a deed! I demand justice be meted for my slain countrymen, if not by my hand then by whatever court or mob this piss-hole of a swamp can muster!"

He shook violently, trying to suppress his rage, when that didn't work he kicked the guard strongly in his stomach before turning away, hands reached up. He took a while to slow down his breathing, before picking up again.

"I mean it. They're not walking out of here free men, or so help me Axtrami."

He looked at them all in turn to emphasize his point, before turning back to Sigurd.

"...The consensus among these dogs is the left door. Which is why I would strongly suggest the right one. But not just because of what they have done, but because there wasn't a single one among them that claimed the right. Which would either mean we're dealing with some very honest scum, or they were prepared for just such an event as this one. Why else would the trapped door be behind them rather than in front of them, if they weren't considered expendable. Those are my thoughts, but it's your shield and your life, so the choice isn't mine to make."

All things be d**ned, he retrieved his canteen from Duxo and took a deep draft from it. The warmness flowing through his veins was a much needed comfort.

"The knight is right in that you should save your spells, however we can't just leave them behind us, tied or not. Either we set them free, and they go unpunished for their crimes against the Ouzquin peoples in general and Tar-Sul and I in particular, or we execute them for their crimes here and now. Trying to push this problem off onto the local constabulary is both stupid and weak."

Logged

For the love of meat, shut up! No one wants to hear your emo character background! My hands are literally melting away, and I'm complaining less than you!—K'seliss, Goblins

"And be under no illusions that the 'local constabulary' will necessarily deliver justice hereabouts, Knight. Us scholars are not the only ones here to escape the heavy control in the cities. There is little separating them from this scum here. "

She stepped near the bandit. "So yes, you know your fate if we turn you over. Would you prefer Her caress? It is really not to be feared. Please, let me know what your preference would be. "

The bandit peered at Nim, fear turning to hatred as he realized the portent of her words. "You would fit well into the ranks of the Sekh-Tar-Rul yourself, girl! No mercy for the weak! If the only other option is the Royal guard, then you already know my answer. Send me to her Inescapable Embrace, witch!"The bandit sat up as proudly as his bonds would allow, staring Nim directly in the eye.

Nim met the bandits eyes, and said, gently, "So you have all the pieces Knight. These people - my people - are poor and desperate. You here how he welcomes our justice. I would make the same choice.Please rule quickly, it is cruel to allow them to linger."

Sigurd did not cherish death - often, a thorough change of heart could be brought about even in an unrepentant scoundrel.Alas, with none to watch over the brigands, any further deeds of theirs would be his responsibility.

"By the law of my land, you would hang, for banditry, abduction and murder. But..."He swung his blade about in a practiced arc, unexpectedly and swiftly, beheading the scoundrel."... I shall be no worse to you than you were to others."

Then, he turned and headed towards the sleeping brigands."Do not sully yourself" he noted to his allies, and dispensed what justice he could, solemn and expressionless.

Logged

"Captain, the buttocks are moving from the pink into the red and purple spectrum! We cannot maintain this rate of spanking any longer!"

Zelas crossed his arms and forced himself to stand witness to Sigurd's deeds."They brought this on themselves..." He half said, half mumbled. He wasn't sure who he was trying to convince, maybe even himself. He was no stranger to death, but there was no honour in this, only cold, uncaring, justice. He tried to cling to his anger and not think about what was done. But one thing was sure, their transgressions had been great. A d**n shame... He took another draft.

He clapped Sigurd's armored shoulder and silently offered him the canteen.

While Justice was being served in the cavern, Duxo took it on himself to scout ahead. He entered through the door on the far end of the cavern and found himself in a short corridor, chiseled out in the same manner as the room he was imprisoned in. Several torches lined the wall, three doors were present. One rested on each end of the room, and a third sat along the wall near the left side of the corridor.

Meticulously, Duxo stepped forth, studying the room. As he made his way to the left door, he suddenly stopped in his tracks! Just one step before him, the floor appeared rougher than normal. Investigating this revealed a touch-plate cleverly disguised. When trod on, the floor would have collapsed! It seemed that Zelas's suspicions were correct! The guards had all attempted to trick the group into triggering this trap! Loyal to the grave, it seemed.

All within the corridor was otherwise quiet and unassuming. There were three doors to choose from, and due to the deception of the bandits, it couldn't be guaranteed that any would lead where they said it would.

"Thanks for the news - I feel ever so slightly ... validated by serendipity."He observed the three doors, the devious plate, then whispered to the others: "I suggest we leave the plate be - you never know when becomes an option to trap an orc or his pet carnivore in a trap of their own making."

Then, he leaned towards the doors - if they could surprise Korkarr instead of stumbling into a panther pit, that would be nice.

Logged

"Captain, the buttocks are moving from the pink into the red and purple spectrum! We cannot maintain this rate of spanking any longer!"

Zelas nodded at Duxo's tale. As suspected. Sooner trust a scorpion's bow than a < voutzia's > words, as the saying goes. As they now didn't know which door was the right one, Zelas positioned himself before the crossways. Three doors considerably worsened the odds. It didn't exactly help that the knight wished a word with the orc, now that Zelas knew the true nature of the beast, he had no qualms about catching it off guard. In fact, given that he had access to as many as five panthers, that would probably be preferential.